Sorry I've been absent so far this week, it's been a tiring week getting my head around things at work but now I'm starting to get the hang of things and I'm getting stuck in which is great- I can see what I do making a difference.
On Sunday, me, my mum and her friend and partner all went to Harry Potter World at Leavesden Studios. We were meant to go back in December however, as you may remember, the snow came and dashed all our plans. However, we finally got to explore the wonderful wizarding world of Harry Potter and it was brilliant.
I'd not been for a few years so I was excited to visit again and to also see the studios transformed into a winter wonderland for their 'Hogwarts in the Snow' season. Over the Christmas period I watched all of the 8 films again to not only get me in the Christmas spirit, but to get me in the Pottery mood for the studio tour. But it's only when you step through the doors (after the bag and body checks of course- to check you're not smuggling your wand in!) where you start to realise the magnitude of the magical series. The foyer was full of life with kids everywhere either donning a Hogwarts costume or Hogwarts inspired gifts from the huge gift shop that sold everything from wand replicas, to stationery. The tours are timed so while we were all waiting, we had an explore around the gift shop. It's quite expensive in there especially when you consider what the objects on offer actually are, so be prepared for that but then you are really paying for the Harry Potter name.
Our tour was arranged for 12:30. The tour starts off quite fittingly with The Great Hall and that's where you hear the chorus of ooh's and ahh's as soon as the doors open. The hall was filled with Christmas food (albeit plastic due to the filming processes) and adorned with dozens of pretty Christmas decorations. Perhaps the most spectacular piece of decoration in the hall was an elaborate ice sculpture. The detail on it was amazing and added an extra wintery feel to the hall.
Once everyone tore themselves away from the amazing sculpture, it was time to begin exploring the intricate set props and costumes that made the magic come alive on the big screen. We made our way round the J stage taking everything in. There is a little secret with how the tour is set up but you'll have to visit yourself for that reveal! The stage we walked through was full of Hogwarts sets like the potions classroom and the Gryffindor common room that was designed to feel like the home Harry never had. Among all the sets were stalls where you can discover some of the industry secrets like how they make snow- it's surprisingly realistic and even feels cold. Around the next corner, true die-hard Potter fans could experience the thrill of flying in a Quidditch match with a ride on a nimbus broomstick in front of a green screen- just like how the real cast would have done. This is the best thing about the Harry Potter World experience, all the props, sets and costumes are real. The stars of the film themselves walked in your foot steps, used those exact props and wore those costumes.
Next we explored the Ministry of Magic sets and costumes before heading into the dreaded Forbidden Forest. There were films around the sets explaining the process that was followed in order for the set to come to life on screen and the process for transforming the Ministry of Magic was very interesting to watch and made me realise and appreciate how much effort was put in to make the magical world come alive. Just think about the Ministry of Magic scenes for a moment. Every tile was hand crafted to meet the exacting standards for each scene, and that's not including the thought that goes in to the scene's continuity! Up next was the Forbidden Forest. This was the part I was dreading the most. As true Potter fans will know, the Forbidden Forest is packed to the brim with magical and mystical creatures- including spiders. Huge, hairy spiders. Imagine Ron Weasley's face in Chamber of Secrets, times that emotion and sentiment by perhaps a hundred and that's how I am around spiders. To cut a long story short, I went in and filtered straight back out again after mum asked an employee about escape routes. Yes, my mum had to ask how I, a fully grown adult, could escape the infested forest. For those of you who, like me, are not keen on spiders or if you're not great with flashing lights then the nearest escape route is in fact just as you pass Buckbeak on the right hand side. It was here that I waited for mum to exit the forest trying not to look like a complete wuss.
Next up was Hogwarts Express. This train that famously transported Harry to the magical world of Hogwarts unveiled in 2015 but I had not been for quite a few years so this was a completely new exhibit for me and I was excited to see it. As we walked into the room where the train stood, it was like we were immediately stepping into Platform 93/4 preparing to go to Hogwarts ourselves. Everything was made up to look like how the actual set would have done with the Hogwarts Express itself stood majestically as the centre piece. Everyone was congregating around the train taking selfies and family photos and queuing up to enter one of the carriages to look inside. The inside was smaller than I expected with only one narrow corridor to walk down but then afterwards, I could say I had stepped foot on the Hogwarts Express! The mock platform was also filled with other Harry Potter themed things such as a green screen Hogwarts Express experience and a gift shop before you get to the cafe where you can treat yourself to the magical tipple of Butterbeer while you have a break for lunch.
While you're munching on your lunch and sipping your Butterbeer you can see out into the next part of your tour; The Back lot. This outside area is where you can get in the drivers seat of the Weasley car, hop aboard the Knight Bus and even have a cuppa round at number 4 Privet Drive- the home of the dreaded Dursley's and to that cramped cupboard under the stairs. The day we went, it was freezing cold outside so we didn't hang around for too long, but just long enough to see everything (and to take pictures of course). After we saw everything, we then proceeded to Stage K- the second half of the Harry Potter experience.
Part 2 of the tour was soon under way as we entered Stage K and into the animatronics section. It's amazing to see just how intricate the machinery is behind some of the stories' most loved creatures and just how much effort goes into designing, building and operating a magical menagerie. Even Hagrid isn't all he appears in the films. Clips from the cast and crew of the films show just how everything was done and how much time it took to do it all. It's after seeing this part of the tour that I said to myself that I would watch the Harry Potter films with a much beadier eye next time! Everything from dobby to that weird Voldemort creature from the 8th and final film were all there to discover for yourself. It's definitely worth a good nosey about.
The next part of the tour allowed us to discover one of the most famous shopping alleys perhaps in the world- Diagon Alley. This magical set is just as impressive as the Great Hall if not more so. Everything from the cobbles on the floor to the bold and colourful frontage to the Weasley's joke shop, made the alley feel fantastically real to walk through. To walk down this alley was just a dream to some people like me who had watched the whole series of films and watched in wonder at this fantastical world where you can buy yourself anything imaginable. The alley walk was a little shorter than I remembered it being before. If I was there again, I would take the walk a lot slower to take it all in.
Just after our stroll down Diagon Alley it was time to see some models of Hogwarts itself. We all meandered around a few models of the castle heading towards the next exhibit. What greeted us on the other side was just spectacular. I large scale model of Hogwarts itself. The Harry Potter theme played in the background and white and blue lights took their turn to shine on the castle creating an amazing magical wintery effect. To top that off, the castle had be covered with snow to add that extra wintery feel. We all walked around the room admiring the castle from every angle, marveling at every tower, turret and staircase that was the home of every witch, wizard, professor and enchanted magical creature that made the wonderful world of J.K Rowling's imagination come to life.
So, this amazing model of Hogwarts is the last thing you see on your tour before you exit straight into the gift shop and what a view to leave on! In total, our tour took about three hours. They suggest it takes about two and a half but by the time you have a look around everything and have your lunch, it's closer to three. Overall, I would thoroughly recommend going to experience this spellbinding world of Harry Potter. Rowling's story started from humble begins back in the 90's and went on to capture the minds and hearts of many around the world and is still just as popular years after the last of the books and films released. So, if you're after a truly spellbinding experience, book your visit now and immerse yourself in the wonderful wizarding world of Harry Potter.
So, it's nearly Friday and the end of another week! I hope you have an amazing weekend and I will see you all next week for more wittering.
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